The burqa—an aesthetically stunning style of the veil, usually blue or black, with a mesh over the eyes—has evolved into the controversial and the divisive. While many employ the burqa as fodder for debate, the artistsfeatured in The Burqa Issue use their creative voice and art practice to trouble our perceptions and examine the complicated experiences of the women who actually wear the burqa—by choice or by force.

In The Burqa Issue, women speak for women. They bring to bear roots from Afghanistan, Algeria, Canada, Guyana, India, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, and the US to elevate the voices of the women who wear the burqa.

“Thank you all for putting this issue forward despite the unfolding tragedies in the world. Many would have chickened out and chosen caution to avoid a dialogue about the burqa and Muslim women. . .But you all put it forward and are now encouraging conversation and debate.” — Brishkay Ahmed, Filmmaker